Thursday, March 30, 2017

Just wanting to connect with the artists out there! I'm a mixed media artist myself and have participated in many group shows as well as had several solo shows. Here are some little paintings I completed while art journaling.

And all that work needs to be presented perfectly - hence a chic white artist mat to frame artwork. I prefer white as it makes every other color pop against it. It is a also a very classic look ;) With all this art work, I am a big fan of pre-cut mats. I generally order them from Amazon with the backer and plastic sleeve - very economical and easy!

However, they come in very common sizes and art isn't always a common size. So for little paintings on paper, I generally do a quick art mat from poster board with a card board backer. Really easy and every thing you need can be found at the Dollar Tree.

Here is what you'll need:

card board (preferably white)

white poster board sheets

ruler

utility knife

masking tape

paper cutter (or scissors)

pencil

Quick tip: I bought the package of 5 white poster board sheets as well as the white card board at the Dollar Tree in the school supply section.

First, I placed my art on the cardboard piece and gauged how large I wanted my final matted piece. I then measured 2 inches in. I then measured two inches from all sides.

Then cut the card board square and this will be our backer board.

Then lay the backer on the poster board and trace the edge.

Using the paper cutter or scissors, cut the poster board to size.

Now you have two matching sized pieces.

Set aside the backer and lets focus on the mat. Using your art as a guide, measure where the window will go.

I chose 2 1/4 inches in on all sides. Using the utility knife, carefully cut out the window.

Then using the masking tape, attach the art into the window of the mat.

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

So weaving has become one of my new favorites crafts to do. It is so easy and relaxing! Just put in your ear buds and go to town :)

I decided to make my own mini loom to take with me while traveling. After all, I crochet on the plane, why not weave? It's so simple, I know you all can build one and before you know it, you'll be weaving like crazy.

Here is what you need to get started:

5 x 7 inch stretched canvas

hammer

nails

yarn

pen and scissors (not pictured)

Lets talk about the nails quickly. You will need nails with a flat head. Finishing nails are not a good idea. At least 1 inch long is preferred.

Turn your canvas over and you'll see how it is stretched and stapled in the back.

Start by ripping the canvas off the canvas frame. You could use a flat head screw driver or pliers to take the staples out but it's pretty easy to just rip it.

Then you are left with a perfect wooden frame. You could build your own frame for custom or large scale looms, but this works great for now ;)

Then, using your ruler, measure 1/4 inch from the inside of the frame. Make a mark using the pen.

From that 1/4 inch pen mark, then mark every 1/2 inches.

From each pen mark, draw a line down at 1/4 length.

Then, starting from the end line, measure 1/4 inch in and mark with the pen. You'll then mark every 1/2 inch as before and draw a 1/4 length line as before.

You will now have warp points staggered at every quarter inch. I like to mark the ends of the lines with X's as that is where we will hammer the nails in.

Like this. The nails do not have to be straight or perfect; you mainly want the point of the nail dead on your X for an evenly space warp thread.

We'll then start warping the loom. Tie the yarn at one end nail in a tight double knot. I just used plain white yarn here as the warp threads don't show very much.

Then begin warping the loom going in an "over and under" fashion. Remember, you don't want them super tight - just tight enough to bounce back when you press down on the warp threads.

When you get to the end nail, carefully make a tight double knot.

You can trim the long tail if you want.

Now you are ready to weave! I even found some mini dowels at the Dollar Tree that will fit this loom perfectly :) All you need now is some pretty yarn and a yarn needle.

Feel free to check out my DIY post of weaving here that includes an online class on beginner weaving.

Just let me say, I love gardening! Not only is it a great pastime and stress re-leaver, but there are so many environmental and health benefits as well. It is so satisfying watching things grow and having the security of growing my own food. In addition, a great garden, whether it is a vegetable/fruit or flower garden, can create a wonderful backyard habitat that will make you want to stay out all day long :)

Gardening certainly wasn't always easy for me. As a matter of fact my first three years yielded nothing more than a few lettuce leaves here or there. But I would not give up and over the years, I have come to understand what plants work best for my lifestyle and what type of garden works best.

And I've learned many tricks along the way ;) One of the most important would be the compost bin.

I used to think a compost pile/bin would be gross! Smelly, full of spoiled/rotting garbage and bugs, etc. But I've come to learn gardening and compost come hand in hand. And as it turns out, none of those fears held water - except maybe rolly polly bugs ;)

Since deciding to compost, I've had several fails. First, I tried a compost pile in one corner of the yard. My first mistake was not using the container method. The wind blew everything everywhere and it did not maintain the proper level of moisture.

After some no-go container attempts, I've since decided a giant 20" pot is best for me. I like to work in small batches of compost. Obviously if you have a very large garden, you can try the garbage tote system, etc.

This is my bin. Wide open top for easy "stirring".

Drainage holes in the bottom of the pot are a plus.

And the existing tray in the bottom promotes air flow. Now to start your mixture ;)

My second fail when starting to compost was improper ratio of compost ingredients. This is the recipe I like to use and I think it works really well :)

First I start with a dry filler. Here is a separate bin of grass clippings that have dried out. Note I also add a trowel full of fireplace ash to my compost for PH balance. Ash is also good for acid loving plants. But remember a little goes a long way ;)

I fill the bin about a quarter of the way with dry filler. Other dry fillers could include dried fall leaves, straw/hay or bulk dried corn husks - which work great for keeping up compost during fall and winter months.

Then I throw a layer of dirt in there. This could be any dirt - I tend to use the soil left over from the previous years hanging baskets, etc. The dirt will hold water - which we'll add later.

Then add a layer of "green" filler or "wet" filler. Bulk green fillers could be fresh grass clippings or a bucket of weeds you've pulled.

There are also several everyday home products you can find biodegradable versions of, such as toilet paper, paper towels, feminine products - even tooth brushes. But for now I'm sticking with the basics.

Then I add another light layer of dry filler. I then will add a little water to the mix. I have a fish pond so I generally will grab a cup or so of pond water, which will be full of nitrates.

You can always mix plant food with water and add or just stick to plain water altogether.

Then mix well with a trowel or shovel and let sit to work its magic. I generally will turn the mixture once a week or so. If it has been very hot I'll add a little more water and mix more often to evenly distribute moisture.

I add a layer of compost while planting new crops in my beds as well as a thin layer to potted plants. So start gardening!